Don’t fear the avocado
I used to avoid avocados because of their high fat content, but then I learned that the fat in an avocado is mostly monounsaturated, a type of fat that protects your heart!
A member of the fruit family, a one ounce serving of avocado (about 2-3 thin slices or 2 tablespoons mashed), contains nearly 20 vitamins and minerals and only 50 calories. Yes, it’s high in fat- 4.5 grams per serving, but only 0.5 grams of it is saturated. Compare that to:
- 2 tablespoons of butter: 204 calories; 23 grams of fat; 15 grams of saturated fat
- 2 tablespoons of sour cream: 50 calories; 5 grams of fat; 3 grams of saturated fat
- 1 ounce of cheddar cheese: 114 calories; 9.4 grams of fat; 6 grams of saturated fat
To seed an avocado, simply cut it lengthwise around the entire seed and rotate both halves to separate. To remove the seed, slide a spoon underneath and gently lift out. Place the cut side down and peel the skin off using a knife or your fingers.
Here are two easy ways you can start enjoying the heart healthy benefits of avocados today:
- Top your sandwich with a few avocados slices instead of cheese
- Can that chip dip and whip up a batch of homemade guacamole in less than 10 minutes!
No comments yet, be the first!